Mayor of Hastings
Rates and revenue
The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.
Rates and revenue
The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.
Review the proposed rate rises of 2026 and 2027.
Review council assets and shareholdings, eg HB Airport.
Read my plan here: baybuzz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/e25-marcus-buddo-Finance-Plan-for-Hastings-District-Council.pdf.
Reduce rates increases and pay down debt now to make living, retiring or moving to Hastings affordable.
Recommit to core council business by reviewing expenditure and assets, spending infrastructure efficiently and applying common sense to health and safety.
Restrain rates by staging cyclone recovery, prioritising urgent work, limiting debt and avoiding unfair bills for today and future generations.
Review all major council assets to ensure they still deliver value for the community and explore partnerships or new models where they do not.
Review fees and charges so locals are not lumped with extra bills when council undercharges, ensuring growth and services pay their true costs.
Cap rates to inflation CPI.
Drop CEO's authority from $10 million to $100,000 and re-engage tenders committee to ensure oversight and better value for ratepayers.
Start reducing debt slowly and increase repayments as interest payments drop in subsequent years two and three.
Review the proposed rate rises of 2026 and 2027.
Review council assets and shareholdings, eg HB Airport.
Read my plan here: baybuzz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/e25-marcus-buddo-Finance-Plan-for-Hastings-District-Council.pdf.
Reduce rates increases and pay down debt now to make living, retiring or moving to Hastings affordable.
Recommit to core council business by reviewing expenditure and assets, spending infrastructure efficiently and applying common sense to health and safety.
Restrain rates by staging cyclone recovery, prioritising urgent work, limiting debt and avoiding unfair bills for today and future generations.
Review all major council assets to ensure they still deliver value for the community and explore partnerships or new models where they do not.
Review fees and charges so locals are not lumped with extra bills when council undercharges, ensuring growth and services pay their true costs.
Cap rates to inflation CPI.
Drop CEO's authority from $10 million to $100,000 and re-engage tenders committee to ensure oversight and better value for ratepayers.
Start reducing debt slowly and increase repayments as interest payments drop in subsequent years two and three.
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